What is a portable appliance? What is PAT Testing? How do I know an item has been PAT Tested? How often should this test be done? Who should do the testing? What do the tests entail? What is a portable appliance? A Portable Appliance is defined as any electrical equipment which is powered between 40 and 240 volts and which is connected to the electrical mains and socket (usually a 13 amp outlet). It does not imply that the appliance is readily portable. Only that it can be moved without unwiring. Examples include:- Visual display units, Computers, Kettles, Hand drills. Photocopiers, Fridges, mobile phone chargers. Vacuum cleaners, Televisions, Video recorders, Musical Instrument Amplifiers, PA Systems, Heaters, Church organs ect. What is PAT Testing? The requirements are based on principles of risk assessment and reasonable practicability. The frequency of inspection and testing required will vary depending on the type of appliance, its location, and its use. The Health and Safety at Work Act (1984) as well as many E.C Directives relating to workplace safety asks that any employer ensures that he creates and maintains a safe working environment. This includes ensuring any electrical tools or electrical equipment supplied are safe and in good working order. To assist companies to comply with this legislation, the electrical industry has developed a range of tests that all portable appliances are checked to by a trained engineer to ensure they comply to an industry standard and are safe for the purpose they are designed for. How do I know an item has been PAT Tested? All items that pass the inspection & testing will be labelled with a safety sticker and a unique barcode number that helps us keep track of all portable appliances in your company. How often should this test be done? In general, items should be checked every 12 months but some items that are used more regularly depending on whether it is fixed or portable, the manner in which it used, and the frequency of use should be checked more often. Frequency may also vary according to the type of equipment rather than the type of use. For example, electric kettles and portable electrical heaters in regular use are more likely to develop faults than electric typewriters. Who should do the testing? Electrical testing should be performed by a person who is competent in the safe use of the test equipment and who knows how to interpret the test results obtained. This person must be capable of inspecting the equipment and, where necessary, dismantling it to check the cable connections. What do the tests entail? The testing consists of two separate activities; A visual inspection to check for damage and poor electrical standards and a series of instrument tests to check for less obvious faults.